Review: Tommy Boyce & Bobby I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight? 7a Records Release

The songwriting team of Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart are pretty much recognized as the ‘Lennon & McCartney’ of The Monkees, having written several of the groups most popular songs and hits like ‘Last Train To Clarksville’, ‘I Wanna Be Free’, ‘She’, ‘(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone’, ‘Words’, ‘Valleri’, ‘Tear Drop City’ and more. Together and as individual songwriters, they’ve written hits for artists like Little Anthony & The Imperials (‘Hurt So Bad’), Freddie Cannon (‘Action’), Curtis Lee (‘Pretty Little Angel Eyes’), Jay & The Americans (‘Come A Little Bit Closer’) and Helen Reddy (‘Keep On Singing’) among others. It was Boyce & Hart that Screen Gems turned to help write, produce, and shape The Monkees’ sound on record. Seeing the success the Monkees were having inspired Tommy and Bobby to become recording and performing artists as well, getting a taste with their band the Candy Store Prophets backing the solo segments of the Monkees 1967 tour. (Less than a decade later, the duo would team up with Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones as Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart.)

Signing with A&M Records, the duo released their first album ‘Test Patterns’ in 1967. On the strength of the successful single ‘I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?’, the team recorded and released their second album named after the single in 1968. Considered their best album, 7a Records has remastered ‘I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?’ in a new reissue with incredible sound to celebrate its 55^th anniversary.

The songs have a Beatlesque/Brian Wilson type of production that really benefits the songs with a Pop sheen sprinkled with a bit of 60’s psychedelia. ‘Pretty Flower’ could have fit on a later Beach Boys record with its Pop arrangement enhanced by strings. And the B & H version of ‘Tear Drop City’ is actually better than the Monkees one, which segues with sitar-like acoustics into the ethereal ‘Love Every Day’. ‘Two For The Price Of One’ is a soulful bit of fun with the duo name tagging each other. 

‘Goodbye Baby (I Don’t Want To See You Cry)’ is a nice orchestral track with building vocals that evoke the harmonies of The Beatles and The Beach Boys. (Tommy & Bobby were paying attention to what Brian Wilson was doing in the studio.) ‘I’m Digging You Digging Me’ sounds like it could have fit onto the Beach Boys ‘Wild Honey’ album, the melody sort of references the ‘Monkees Theme’ with a wink! Bobby Hart enhances the song ‘Leaving Again’ with his soulful vocals. Tommy Boyce has fun with ‘The Countess’ which has a touch of the Beatles and the Monkees. ‘Population’ has a Bob Dylan improvisational stream of consciousness feel in the lyrics with a wild instrumentation buildup that softly segues into Tommy & Bobby’s version of ‘I Wanna Be Free’ that ends the album on a nice, quiet note.

7a Records has reissued the remastered album on cd in a gatefold sleeve accompanied by a 28-page booklet with informative liner notes written by Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval and many period photos by acclaimed photographer Henry Diltz. The vinyl edition is limited to 500 copies pressed on 180g Red vinyl. As per their past releases, 7a Records excels on the quality and production of this release.

Hopefully this release will lead to more reissues of the Boyce & Hart catalogue with rare bonus tracks included. If you’re a fan of Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart and their work with The Monkees and other artists, then the 7a Records remaster of ‘I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?’ is a definite keeper. 

1. I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?
2. Pretty Flower
3. Teardrop City
4. Love Every Day
5. Two For The Price Of One
6. Goodbye Baby (I Don’t Want To See You Cry)
7. I’m Digging, You Digging Me
8. Leaving Again
9. The Countess
10. Population
11. I Wanna Be Free

• Deluxe 55th Anniversary Edition
• Remastered
• Previously Unseen Photos
• 28 Page Colour CD Booklet
• Extensive Liner Notes
• Lyrics To All Songs

Deep Discount Links:

CD: https://www.deepdiscount.com/i-wonder-what-shes-doing-tonight/5060209950457

Red Vinyl LP: https://www.deepdiscount.com/boyce-and-hart-i-wonder-what-shes-doing-tonite-180gm-red-vinyl/5060209950464

Fred Velez, 2023.

Fred Velez is the author of the books ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You: The Monkees From A Fan’s Perspective’ and ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2: The Monkees From International Fan Perspectives’. 

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7a Records To Reissue Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart Albums!

7A Records announces the release of Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart’s original studio and live albums. In the mid-1970s promoters were trying to reunite the Monkees, but with Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork unavailable, it was suggested that Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones team up with Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart to tour as ‘The Golden Great Hits Of The Monkees Show – ‘The Guys Who Wrote ‘Em & The Guys Who Sang ‘Em’. The group signed a deal with Capitol Records to record a self-titled studio album of new material. They later released a live album from their tour of Japan. Both albums have been unavailable and out of print for many years. 7A Records have tracked down the original master tapes, that were presumed missing for at least 27 years, and remastered both albums for this release. Available as deluxe 2CD and 2LP sets, the CD version will include a big 40 page colour booklet featuring extensive liner notes and previously unseen photos. The 2LP version comes in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on special 180g Green, Black and Yellow Quad Vinyl.

The LP & CD will be released on July 15th, 2022.

Deep Discount Preorder Links:

LP: https://www.deepdiscount.com/dolenz-jones-boyce-hart-180gm-green-yellow-and-black-vinyl/5060209950365

CD: https://www.deepdiscount.com/dolenz-jones-boyce-hart/5060209950358

Micky Dolenz is also making available on his website Signed vinyl copies of the D, J, B & H reissue. The release date for the signed album is July 8th, 2022.

Micky Dolenz Signed DJBH LP Link: https://micky-dolenz.myshopify.com/products/dolenz-jones-boyce-hart-vinyl-lp-the-guys?fbclid=IwAR2Jmw-GT8nGz9Gc9qZ-31KQiObP92QibBJCflqygJmi7aB3iCw1qR9ndB4

Vinyl Track listing:

LP 1 (the Studio Album)

Side One

1. Right Now 
2. I Love You (And I’m Glad That I Said It) 
3. You And I 
4. Teenager In Love 
5. Sail On Sailor 
6. It Always Hurts The Most In The Morning 

Side Two

1. Moonfire 
2. You Didn’t Feel That Way Last Night (Don’t You Remember) 
3. Along Came Jones 
4. Savin’ My Love For You 
5. I Remember The Feeling 
6. Sweet Heart Attack 

LP 2 (Concert in Japan)

Side One

1. Last Train To Clarksville 
2. Medley: 
Valleri/Daydream Believer/A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
3. I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight
4. (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone 
5. I Wanna Be Free 
6. Savin’ My Love For You 
7. Pleasant Valley Sunday 

Side Two

1. I Remember The Feeling 
2. A Teenager In Love 
3 Cuddly Toy 
4. Medley: 
Come A Little Bit Closer/Pretty Little Angel Eyes/Hurt So Bad/
Peaches ‘N’ Cream/Something’s Wrong With Me/Keep On Singing
5. I Love You (And I’m Glad That I Said It) 
6. Action

Fred Velez, 2022.

Keith Allison: August 26, 1942 – November 17, 2021

Keith Allison

It is with deep sadness we announce the untimely passing of Keith Allison on the evening of November 17, 2021, at home in Sherman Oaks, California.Born Sydney Keith Allison on August 26, 1942, in Coleman, Texas, and raised in San Antonio. Keith Allison was a multi-talented songwriter, musician, singer and actor with a long list of credits.

Keith knew everyone, and everyone loved Keith.Keith Allison recorded and performed with some of the biggest names and acts such as Roy Orbison, Ringo Starr, Sonny & Cher, The Beach Boys, The Righteous Brothers, Chuck Berry, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Monkees, Boyce & Hart, Harry Nilsson, Alice Cooper, Rick Nelson, The Crickets and Johnny Rivers just to name a few. He also appeared in many movies and TV shows as an actor and musician.

Keith Allison has been entertaining since the late 50’s where he was in local bands and club performances with Clarence (Gatemouth) Brown, Doug Sahm, Augie Meyer performing in the Keith Allison Combo. Moving into the 60’s Keith was Musical Director and Guitarist for Ray Peterson from 1962-1965. In 1964-65 Keith was a member of The Crickets along with his cousin drummer Jerry Allison.

Keith’s success took off when he arrived in Los Angeles in the mid-sixties. It was at a taping for Dick Clark’s “Where The Action Is” at the Whisky A-Go-Go that really put Keith on the map, when the camera panned catching him in the shot, and the audience swore Paul McCartney was at the taping. The phone rang off the hook at Dick Clark Productions, “if not McCartney, then who was that?”. Keith was invited back to be a part of “Action” becoming a permanent cast member along with friends Paul Revere & The Raiders.Keith contributed to a lot of memorable music including The Monkee’s self-title debut ‘Headquarters’, ‘Head’ and co-writing “Aunties Municipal Court” with fellow Texan Michael Nesmith on ‘The Birds, The Bees, and The Monkees’. Keith played Guitar and Harmonica on Sonny & Cher’s “The Beat Goes On”. In 1967 Columbia Records signed and released the album Keith Allison ‘In Action’.

Keith Allison in The Raiders

Keith Allison (bottom left) with The Raiders

Most notable, Keith was a member of Paul Revere & The Raiders from 1968 to 1975 on bass, guitar, organ, vocals and writing credits. Keith co-wrote with Mark Lindsay “Freeborn Man”, considered one of the top bluegrass songs of all time, recorded and performed live by scores of artists. In 1971 Keith scored the film “Where Does It Hurt?” starring Peter Sellers, as well as wrote and sung the title song. In 1974 and 1975 Keith toured with Johnny Rivers on bass and guitar. In 1976, recorded “Sail Away” with Harry Nilsson and played on Nilsson album produced by Steve Cropper.

Keith Allison with Boyce & Hart

Keith Allison with Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork. Also in picture is Nigel Olsson from the Elton John Band and DJ Rodney Bingenheimer

From 1975 to 1977 Keith was on guitar and band leader for ‘Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart’ and on Capitol Records album and live album “Live In Tokyo” while touring with them in Asia in 1976.In 1977 Keith played Guitar on Ringo Starr’s “Bad Boy” followed by 1978 as musical director for Ringo Starr’s TV special “Ringo”. In 1980, Keith wrote and recorded four songs for the film “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” starring friend Dennis Quaid.

Keith Allison in background with Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart

Keith Allison as the Cowboy Singer from Phantom of the Paradise

In the 90’s Keith went on to act in several popular television shows such as “Blossom”, “7th Heaven”, and “The Wonder Years”. In 2003 Keith played Captain James J. White in the film “Gods and Generals” starring another friend Robert Duvall.

In 2007, Keith was inducted as a member of Paul Revere & The Raiders into the Oregon MusicHall of Fame.In 2015, Keith was inducted as an Ambassador of the Buddy Holly Foundation along with Don Everly, and was presented with a replica Buddy Holiday J45 guitar presented by Jerry Allison.In 2016, at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, Keith played guitar and sang with The Crickets for their final performance.

Since 2000, Keith has been a permanent guest member of the Waddy Wachtel Band.

Keith is survived by his wife Tina Stern of 40 years, Son Ryeland Allison, Daughters Allison Gonzalez (Husband Rob) and Brenda Meck (Husband Rich), Sister Cherri Hicks (Husband Don), Judith Allison & Don Reo, eight grandchildren Zephyr, Skyler, Gavin, Adrian, Madeline, Isabella, Makyla, Mercedes, and six great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Keith’s Life will be announced at a future date.

Please direct any media inquiries to:Alex Hartalexhartmanagement@yahoo.com